With the £100 acquisition of Jack Grealish completed over the summer, Pep Guardiola has assembled a frankly frightening squad to take on the challenge of defending their Premier League title this season.
Despite having failed in their well-publicised attempts to sign Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane, the signing of Grealish and good form of Gabriel Jesus appear to have appeased the need for a marquee signing up front.
Now, Guardiola is faced with the welcome dilemma of only being able to select 11 players each week from his enviable roster of talent.
The likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and even Grealish himself have all found themselves sat on the bench at times this season, with the club’s depth of talent, particularly in attack, clear to see.
Another player who has found his playing time dramatically reduced this season is Raheem Sterling, and it appears that the England international is now considering a future away from the Etihad.
The former Liverpool player has started just two league games so far this term, and has played the full 90 minutes just once.
The star of England’s Euro 2020 campaign is growing frustrated at his lack of opportunities, and recently told FT’s Business of Sport US Summit that he would consider leaving the club.
“If there was the option to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it,” he said.
“As I said, football is the most important thing to me.”
As per The Express, there are a number of clubs who could potentially be interested in a move for Sterling.
Arsenal are touted as one of the clubs that Sterling could possibly join. The Gunners were linked with a move for the 26-year-old during the summer but a move never materialised.
Mikel Arteta’s side have improved in recent weeks with a number of young players impressing, and the acquisition of a player like Sterling could add valuable experience and quality to the Spaniard’s side.
A shock return to Liverpool could also apparently be on the cards, with Jurgen Klopp keen to bolster his attacking options.
The England star left Anfield in 2015 and is still booed by sections of Reds supporters, but he would undoubtedly add useful quality to Liverpool’s current crop of attackers.
The final Premier League club listed is Newcastle United, fresh from their £300 million takeover by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Sterling was arguably England’s best player at Euro 2020
The Magpies have been linked with a number of stars in the days since the takeover, varying from Timo Werner to Kylian Mbappe and from Mohamed Salah to Virgil van Dijk.
Perhaps a more realistic signing, however, could be Sterling, who would be guaranteed regular game time at the club and would also be able to remain in the Premier League.
As well as the trio of English clubs, the report also suggests that Real Madrid could be another potential suitor for Sterling.
The player is reportedly open to the prospect of moving abroad, and Madrid could be the perfect candidates to prise him away from City.
With Barcelona in the midst of financial troubles, Madrid will be keen to establish their dominance over their rivals, and the signing of a player of Sterling’s quality could help them to achieve exactly that.
